Optimizing Protein Intake in Adults: Interpretation and Application of the Recommended Dietary Allowance Compared with the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range
Open accessAbstract
The adult RDA is defined as the average daily level of intake sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all healthy people. The RDA for protein for adults ≥18 y of age (0.8 g/kg) has been essentially unchanged for >70 y. In practice, the RDA for protein was derived to estimate the minimum amount of protein that must be eaten to avoid a loss of body nitrogen. The Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) (10-35% of calories as protein) was developed to express dietary recommendations in the context of a complete diet. It is noteworthy that the lowest level of protein intake reflected in the AMDR is higher than that of the RDA. Furthermore, recent studies, particularly in older individuals, suggest specific health benefits at levels of protein intake that significantly exceed the RDA. Translation of protein intake recommendations for the general adult population into dietary guidance for individuals requires an understanding of the derivation and intended use of both the protein RDA and AMDR. The following discussion will describe limitations to the derivation and practical application of the RDA compared with the use of the AMDR to help maximize health benefits associated with higher protein intake by using flexible calories inherent in different dietary patterns.
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This recommendation falls within the Institute of Medicine's Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) of 10-35% protein.
“Importantly, this recommendation also falls within the Institute of Medicine’s Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) of 10–35% protein [224].”
From International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: protein and exercise (2017) · cites this paper as [224]
The Current Status of Knowledge section states that the Institute of Medicine’s AMDR is 10–35% of calories as protein. The cited sentence does not identify what “this recommendation” is, so our copy cannot establish whether that particular recommendation falls within the range. (LLM, conf=0.82)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe USDA protein recommendations are based on nitrogen balance studies determining the amount of protein intake required to maintain nitrogen balance, and it is unclear how much they can translate to actual clinical practice.
“These recommendations are based on nitrogen balance studies determining the amount of protein intake required to maintain nitrogen balance and it is unclear how much they can translate to actual clinical practice [139].”
From Lifestyle Medicine for Obesity in the Era of Highly Effective Anti-Obesity Treatment (2025) · cites this paper as [139]
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“These recommendations are based on nitrogen balance studies determining the amount of protein intake required to maintain nitrogen balance and it is unclear how much they can translate to actual clinical practice [139].”
- Authors
- Wolfe, R. R., Cifelli, A. M., Kostas, G., & Kim, I.-Y.
- Affiliations
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (US)
- National Cattlemen's Beef Association (US)
- Corresponding author
- Wolfe, Robert R
- Venue
- Advances in Nutrition
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2017-03
- Volume
- 8
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 266-275
- ISSN
- 2156-5376 (ISSN-L)
- 2161-8313
- PMC
- PMC5347101
- OpenAlex
- W2598699929
- Cited by
- 173
- References
- 42
- Citations by year
- 2026: 27 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 24 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 4
- FWCI
- 1.40
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Advances in Nutrition (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- PepsiCo
- Purdue University
- University of Missouri
- National Pork Board
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
- Egg Nutrition Center
- National Cattlemen's Beef Association
- National Institutes of Health
- National Institute on Aging (P30AG028718)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Nutrition, Health, and Society Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutritional Studies and Diet
- Keywords
- protein intake, RDA, Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range, protein requirements, dietary recommendations, older adults, dietary habits
- MeSH terms
- Diet, Dietary Proteins, Humans, Nutrition Assessment, Recommended Dietary Allowances
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